TV Guide Magazine January 3, 2022

TAKE NOTE Finally, a show about teachers that is realistic. Every scene in ABC’s Abbott Elementary, from the characters (especially the principal, played by Janelle James) to the problems in public education, rang true. My only gripe is that I must wait until January 4 for more episodes. —Sharon MUSICAL ICONS The real winners of NBC’s The Voice are John Legend and Carrie Underwood. The beautifully written duet “Hallelujah” during the live finale on December 14 was awesome. It certainly put me in the holiday spirit. —Carol FAREWELL, PARTNER I’m so sad Micki, played by Lindsey Morgan, is leaving The CW’s Walker. She’s been one of the best parts of the show. —Cindy STREAMING FLAW I agree with the reader who said the streaming service Tubi was great [“Your Feedback,” December 6 issue].…

@TVGMMattRoush I have been obsessed with Fox’s The Big Leap since its premiere, and I laughed and cried through the December 6 finale. What do you think the chances are for a renewal? I’m worried since my other favorite, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, was canceled so unceremoniously by NBC. —Sharon MATT ROUSH: You may be right to be concerned, because it’s almost impossible to predict how the pendulum will swing when so few network series emerge as bona fide hits anymore. Likening Leap to Zoey’s makes sense, because emotionally driven shows with high entertainment value but low franchise potential are an especially endangered species. (When I see a pilot for a show like The Big Leap, my heart both soars and sinks as I consider the uphill battle it will likely face.) I…

Smart Watch If you have a half hour, check out this series Popular dramedy Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, now some 300 episodes in, finds the family concerned as Calvin (Lance Gross) deals with cold feet about his coming nuptials. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 8/7c, BET If you have an hour, watch this series You may well wince at every exciting ooh and ahh and OWW! as the first season of obstacle course competition Wipeout returns with new episodes, hosted by John Cena and Nicole Byer. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 9/8c, TBS If you have a free evening, watch this movie Cult film lovers have a safe weekly late-night haven in TCM Underground, which airs 1979 beloved musical comedy Rock ’n’ Roll High School starring punk godfathers the Ramones. Friday, Jan. 7, 2:30am/1:30c, TCM If you have a free…

We bet your TV looks great. But can you hear it? While picture-related tech has gotten exponentially better over the years, when it comes to sound quality, it isn’t just you: Dialogue on modern TVs can be hard to hear. That’s especially true when a show has loud background music that covers up the voices onscreen. We have some sound advice to improve the situation. Adjust Your Settings Your television’s sound settings are the obvious place to start. Various TVs have differing audio setups and often use fancy (or confusing, if you’re not an audio engineer) terminology. To begin, press “Menu” on your remote control and select “Sound.” Here, you will find the settings that may need to be adjusted. This could require some trial and error. First look for something called…

We welcome any opportunity to streamline tech! Here’s one way we like a lot: Use your smartphone to control your Roku with the Roku app (download it through the Android or iPhone app store). Using your Roku remote, hit Home, then Settings, System and Advanced system settings. Click on “Control by mobile apps.” This allows devices on the same Wi-Fi to operate the Roku. Now, open your phone’s Roku app. The first time you open it, you’ll get a screen that allows you to pair it with your Roku. Once connected, your phone will look just like your old remote! FROM TOP: JACK ZEMAN/FOX; ROKU (2)…

@TVGMMattRoush Women of the Movement LIMITED SERIES PREMIERE Thursday, Jan. 6, 8/7c, ABC HELL HATH NO fury like a mother grieving an unjustly slain son, and few had the lasting social impact of Mamie Till-Mobley. Airing over three Thursdays (continuing January 13 and 20), Women of the Movement is primarily Mamie’s story, about a woman who helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement after her sorrow hardens into a grim resolve to not let her 14-year-old boy be forgotten. This is the sort of socially conscious, emotionally driven miniseries that used to be a staple of broadcast TV before the format drifted to cable and, more recently, to streaming. While Women isn’t particularly adventurous in its by-the-history-books storytelling, Tony winner Adrienne Warren (Tina Turner in Tina) grounds the series with a powerfully impassioned performance as Mamie,…